Abstract TP210: Examining the Role of Context: Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status Shaping Post-Stroke Outcomes

Abstract

Introduction: Neighborhoods may influence post-stroke recovery. We examined the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) and 90-day post-stroke function, depression, cognition, and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Stroke survivors (N=782) were identified from the population-based Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi (BASIC) Project. An nSES index – composite of 2010 census-tract level income, wealth, education, employment – was the exposure; higher values indicate higher nSES (median -4.56; IQR: -7.48 to -0.46). Function was measured with 22 self-reported activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living, depression with Patient Health Questionnaire-8, QoL with the Stroke Specific QoL Scale, and cognition with the Modified Mini Mental State Examination. Confounder-adjusted generalized estimating equations were used to estimate associations between nSES (comparing 75 th to 25 th percentile) and 90-day outcomes. We tested for effect modification by initial stroke severity (NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) ≤ 5 or >5) by including interaction terms in adjusted models. Results: Higher nSES was associated with significantly better function, better QoL, and less depression after adjusting for person-level confounders in those with NIHSS >5. Higher nSES was associated with better cognition, but this result was not significant. In those with NIHSS ≤5, higher nSES had a statistically significant (though attenuated) association with function and cognition. Conclusions: Future research should identify features of higher nSES neighborhoods that contribute to more favorable stroke outcomes. Our findings highlight the need for examining the individual and joint influence of neighborhood context and stroke severity on post-stroke recovery.